Recipe Ideas for a Delicious Office Coffee Bar

July 19, 2017

Whether it's a sweetened cappuccino or a bold espresso, just about everyone loves a great coffee drink. If your office comes standard with a one-dimensional coffeemaker, consider adding a coffee bar to your break room accessories. Give the rest of the office a treat by outfitting your coffee bar with specialty coffee equipment such as a French press coffee maker or an espresso machine, include a menu of coffee recipes and keep the ingredients for iced coffee drinks on hand.

Coffee and All the Fixings

Designate a dedicated spot in your break room for the coffee lovers. To make it special, set up an espresso machine and a single-serve brewer in addition to your standard caffeinated and decaf pots. Add a French press coffee maker for those connoisseurs in the crowd. For inspiration, keep a collection of coffee recipes next to the machines. Have espresso cups and latte cups available, and post clear instructions for how to use each machine.

Coffee seems to taste a little better when you drink it from your own mug. Hang some mug racks on the wall so your employees can bring their favorite mugs from home. Make sure you have some dish washing liquid and a drying rack available to keep things neat and clean. Shelving units can hold not only your cups but also recipe books, flavored syrups, K-cups, sweeteners, stirrers and spoons, and extra cups. Add a chalkboard to your decor, or paint a part of your wall with blackboard paint, and you can post cheerful messages, fancy coffee recipes or timely reminders near your coffee bar.

Non-Coffee Drinks and Snacks

Coffee isn't the only hot drink that keeps your fellow employees fueled up. Don't forget to have a good selection of tea available. A hot cocoa bar can be a nice addition to your coffee bar, especially during the cold weather. Include instant hot cocoa made with water or milk, and set out peppermint sticks, cinnamon sticks and the same syrups you're using to make your coffee special.

Even if you only have room for a mini-fridge for drinks in your break room, fill it up with iced coffee drinks and water-based drinks for those trying to avoid caffeine. Keep some creamer and milk on hand as well.

Many people prefer a snack with their morning or afternoon coffee. Keep a few sweets around. Simple brownies, cookies and granola bars may be all you need, but add some fruit or nuts as healthy alternatives. Provide the usual iced coffee on hot summer or fall days, but if you have a freezer available, ice cream to turn your coffee drinks into floats.

Coffee Bar Recipes

Consider making a fresh coffee treat every day to keep employees flocking to your coffee bar. To make a simple iced coffee, sweeten a pitcher of hot coffee, and then add in a blend of three parts cold water to one part half-and-half. Pour the drink over ice before serving. Use flavored instant coffee with flavored creamers to create a vanilla treat.

You can also provide all the ingredients for employees to make their own hot or cold coffee treats. Post the recipes where everyone can find them, and be sure all ingredients are fully stocked. To make special drinks such as a caramel macchiato, you'll need to add a blender to your equipment. Just mix coffee with chocolate milk, caramel syrup, sweetener and vanilla, blend it all together with ice cubes to make a treat they'll be sure to love.

Don't be surprised if your coffee bar becomes the spot where everyone in the office wants to congregate. Adding coffee recipes and all the ingredients for special hot and iced coffee drinks makes your coffee bar even more of a draw and reminds everyone that you really care.

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